BRUSSELS, August 31. /TASS/. The European Union intends to prevent mass migration from Afghanistan to Europe in part by providing stronger support for those countries in the region that will accept refugees, the statement of the EU Council following the results of an emergency session at the level of interior ministers published on Tuesday said.

"Based on lessons learned, the EU and its Member States stand determined to act jointly to prevent the recurrence of uncontrolled large-scale illegal migration movements faced in the past (meaning the 2015-2016 migration crisis - TASS), by preparing a coordinated and orderly response. Incentives to illegal migration should be avoided. The EU should also strengthen the support to the countries in Afghanistan’s immediate neighbourhood to ensure that those in need receive adequate protection primarily in the region," the document said. The EU "will step up financial support to relevant international organisations" in order to provide financial support to the countries in the region.

The EU Ministers of Home Affairs in particular proposed to launch "targeted information campaigns" in order to "combat the narratives used by smugglers, including in the on-line environment, which encourage people to embark on dangerous and illegal journeys towards Europe."

Targeted evacuation

The EU Ministers of Home Affairs announced that the evacuation of Afghans who cooperated with the EU and its member countries will continue. "In this regard, intensive work is underway to identify targeted solutions for the remaining specific cases of persons at risk in Afghanistan," the document said. In her turn, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, following the EU Council meeting, wrote on Twitter that she will convene an international conference in September to resolve the issue of resettlement of Afghan refugees.

Initially, the European Commission proposed to all the EU countries to take on expanded quotes in order to accept and resettle the Afghan refugees, however, this position encountered sharp criticism from the countries of the Union which was actively supported by Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia that is chairing the EU Council. Now the attention of the EU Council shifted from discussing the possibility of mass direct hosting of migrants by the EU countries to the discussion of prospects of resettling them within the region.

Afghanistan and migration

In 2015, the largest migration crisis in the EU’s history occurred when, as a result of conflicts in northern Africa and in the Middle East, particularly, wars in Libya and Syria, the EU countries were overwhelmed by a surge of refugees from that region and central African countries. In all, over one million illegal migrants arrived in the European Union at the time.

After the Biden administration had announced the end of Washington’s 20-year-long military operation in Afghanistan and the launch of its troop pullout, the Taliban (outlawed in Russia) embarked on an offensive against Afghan government forces.

On August 15, Taliban fighters swept into Kabul without encountering any resistance, and gained full control over the Afghan capital within a few hours. Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said he had stepped down to prevent any bloodshed and subsequently fled the country. Vice President Amrullah Saleh announced that, in the absence of the head of state, the constitution empowered him to become the caretaker president and urged the Afghan people to join the resistance against the Taliban. The armed resistance in the country’s Panjshir Province is led by Ahmad Massoud, the son of renowned guerilla commander Ahmad Shah Massoud (1953-2001).